Kisumu County Workers Announce Mass Protest Over Delayed Salaries

Members of the County Government Workers Union (COGWU) in Kisumu are set to stage a peaceful picketing and demonstration to demand the payment of outstanding salaries owed to county employees.

In a notice addressed to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kisumu Central Police Station, the union informed police that the demonstration will take place in line with the workers’ constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions.

“We hereby notify your office that members of the County Government Workers Union (COGWU), representing employees of the County Government of Kisumu, will hold a peaceful picketing and demonstration on Monday, 29th June 2026, in pursuit of their constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions,” read part of the notice.

COGWU Members Set to Hold Peaceful Demonstration Over Salary Delays

According to the notice, the workers will assemble at Uhuru Gardens, adjacent to the Governor’s Office, from 8:30 a.m.

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They will then march peacefully along Court Road, Jomo Kenyatta Highway, Achieng Oneko Road and Awuor Otiende Road before concluding at the Huduma Centre Building.

“The workers will assemble at Uhuru Gardens, adjacent to the Governor’s Office, from 8:30 am. Thereafter, they will proceed peacefully along the following route: Uhuru Gardens Court Road, Jomo Kenyatta Highway, Achieng Oneko Road, Awuor Otiende Road, Huduma Centre Building,” COGWU stated.

Additionally, COGWU said the purpose of the demonstration is to demand the immediate payment of outstanding salaries owed to County Government workers, adding that the protest will remain peaceful, orderly and within the confines of the law.

The union also requested the police to provide adequate security to safeguard demonstrators, members of the public and property while facilitating the peaceful conduct of the protest.

Okiya Omtatah Supports Planned Demonstration

Meanwhile, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has expressed support for the planned demonstration, saying no worker should be forced to protest in order to receive wages they have already earned.

“I stand in full solidarity with the workers of Kisumu County who have chosen the constitutional path of peaceful picketing to demand payment of their hard-earned salaries. No worker should have to demonstrate to receive wages they have already earned. Paying salaries is a legal obligation, not an act of goodwill,” he said.

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The senator argued that delayed salaries across county governments point to broader governance challenges, including weaknesses in public finance management, budgeting, prioritisation and accountability.

He called on the Kisumu County Government to resolve the matter without delay and urged the National Police Service to protect the workers’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly under Article 37 of the Constitution.

“The dignity of labour must be respected. Workers deserve justice, not excuses,” Omtatah added.

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COGWU Members to March Over Delayed Salary Payments. Photo/ Okiya Omtatah / X